New York - Rock singer Willy DeVille, known for his bitter sweet ballads, has died at the age of 58 from cancer, his family said Friday.

DeVille passed away in a New York hospital after a bout with pancreatic cancer, his wife, Nina, told the German Press Agency dpa.

"It was very peaceful," she said. "I was by his side."

DeVille's family revealed in June that he had been diagnosed with the disease. He was being treated for hepatitis C when doctors found a cancerous tumor.

DeVille's music was a combination of rock, Latin, blues, Doo-Wop, Cajun, Creole, mariachi and country, and his lyrics were heavily romantic.

His real name was William Borsay. DeVille founded his band, Mink DeVille, in San Francisco in 1974 and as his music caught on he went to play in New York's famed CBGBs.

The band's 1977 song Spanish Stroll was an international hit and helped lead to a series of successful albums in the 1980s. DeVille went on to a solo career and made appearances with Van Morrison, Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny, Brenda Lee, Tom Waits and Los Lobos.(dpa)